Lowering employer healthcare costs with Direct Primary Care
June 22, 2023 by Keely Knopp
Employers are increasingly aware of the importance of offering health and wellness services to their employees. But as healthcare costs continue to rise, many companies have found that employer-sponsored insurance is quickly becoming unsustainable or unattainable to offer to their workforce.
Instead, many businesses are utilizing a direct primary care (DPC) model, which offers an alternative to the fee-for-service insurance plans by offering access to quality healthcare for a flat monthly fee. DPC benefits employers and workers alike, providing substantial savings and a greater access to care — and now this new healthcare model is available in Western North Carolina through MercyMe Team Care, a DPC + urgent care membership program by Mercy Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine.
The DPC model has been shown to significantly reduce employers’ healthcare expenses, bringing per employee per year costs to roughly 46% below the national average — with many saving as much as $2,550 per employee per year (or up to 20% of total annual healthcare costs). According to Hint Health, that’s a potential ROI of 11% per employee, per month.
DPC providers like Mercy also decrease the need for costly and time-consuming visits to specialists and the ER, as memberships offer a wide range of services that cover 60-80% of all urgent care and DPC healthcare needs. This not only reduces the chance that employees may incur expensive, over-inflated bills for unnecessary procedures or lengthy hospital stays, but also allows them to return to work quicker with peace of mind.
Key advantages of the DPC model
Reduced, more predictable healthcare costs. By partnering with DPC providers like Mercy Urgent Care, employers can achieve significant healthcare savings. Instead of traditional fee-for-service models with costly co-pays, deductibles and claims processing, DPC operates on a fixed monthly fee per employee, reducing the wide range of costs for health services. MercyMe Team Care memberships cost $59 per month for individuals and $89 per month for families of up to four, with no co-pays. This predictable cost structure helps employers better manage their healthcare expenditure, resulting in potential long-term savings.
Enhanced access to care. DPC programs like MercyMe Team Care emphasize direct access to primary care providers without the typical barriers of traditional healthcare models. Employees can enjoy same-day or next-day appointments, extended visit times and even virtual consultations, ensuring timely and convenient access to necessary care. Better access to healthcare reduces absenteeism and encourages earlier detection and intervention of health issues, resulting in better overall employee wellness and productivity.
Comprehensive, preventative-focused packages. DPC providers like Mercy offer comprehensive primary care services that include preventive care, wellness programs, chronic disease management and acute care. By having a dedicated healthcare provider, employees receive personalized, continuous care that focuses on their unique health needs — with access to regular screenings, health assessments and wellness programs that help employees stay proactive about their health. This approach can help identify and address health issues before they worsen, leading to better health outcomes and lower healthcare costs.
Improved employee engagement, satisfaction and productivity. Offering DPC demonstrates an employer’s commitment to the well-being of their workers — and, in turn, when employees feel their employer prioritizes their health, they are more likely to be satisfied with their job and feel valued, leading to increased employee loyalty and retention. In addition, healthy employees are more likely to be productive, motivated and have fewer absences due to illness.
For as little as $59 per month for individuals and $89 per month for families of up to four, MercyMe Team Care provides workers with access to a full range of health services at eight convenient locations throughout WNC.
MercyMe Team Care Offers
- unlimited in-person or virtual care visits
- annual wellness checks
- yearly flu shots
- services like x-rays, wound care, lab testing, and more.
All without an appointment or lengthy check-in procedures.
To learn more about the MercyMe Team Care membership program and the direct primary care model, including how you can offer this to your employees, contact Jon Medin at 828.252.3443 or jmedin@mercyurgentcare.org.
